Reminders of 1814: President Madison's Medicine Chest

Date of Work: Late 18th century - Early 19th century
Credit: Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum/NARA

This walnut, brass, and ivory medicine chest was taken from the White House during the fire of August 24, 1814, and given to President Franklin D. Roosevelt by a descendant of Thomas Kains, a British naval officer who was part of the party that burned the White House down during the Invasion of Washington during the War of 1812.